Great Northern Class 700s to operate from next year

Class 700s will begin running on the Great Northern network from next year.

Manufacturer Siemens said on June 3 that the trains would run between London King’s Cross and Peterborough and Cambridge from 2017. Then, from 2018, they will run from Cambridgeshire onto the Thameslink network, using the Canal Tunnel that links the East Coast Main Line with the TL network at St Pancras International.

Currently the Cambridge and Peterborough routes are operated by Class 317s, ‘321s’ and ‘365s’. Govia Thameslink Railway operates these services, but plans to dispense with the ‘317s’ and ‘321s’.

Class 377 Electrostars will begin running on the GN network from October, replacing the British Rail-era electric multiple units. In the longer term, Class 387/1s will also be used on GTR trains on the ECML, making use of their 110mph capabilities.

For more on the GTR Class 700s, read RAIL 802, published today (June 8).

For the latest Class 700 delivery news, read RAIL 803, published on June 22.

Reply as guest

Yes, but that's only for the 6-car Class 717s (which are not yet under construction) replacing the Class 313s. The Class 700s (of which 30-odd units have been built so far) will begin operating on Great Northern before the Canal Tunnels open and the Peterborough, Cambridge and peak Welwyn services are connected to Thameslink.

Reply as guest

The reason Great Northern will have two classes 700 and 717 are the same today as when original electrification lead to classes 312 and 313 with one type 312/700 for outer suburban trains and classes 313/717 for trains for services to Moorgate which need to use more restricted tunnels and have end doors for emergency egress in the tunnels. It will be interesting to see how 717s manage to get these exits !